In my first entry of the year, I talked about my goal of cultivating a childlike sense of wonder. Instead of looking at the world with skepticism, I wanted to see the enchantment of ordinary things – to appreciate the small miracles of nature the way I did when I was a child. Kate MacRitchie’s wise and lovely post about her word for the year inspired me to create my own moodboard and playlist. I think it’s really helped me manifest more of this feeling into my life. Do you have a word of the year? (And if not, go ahead and choose one. It’s never too late for resolutions!)
Moving to a new place has helped me tap into my sense of wonder. Coming from a dry desert environment to one that’s lush and green makes me extremely grateful for the miracles of nature. Flowering trees are a source of joy during my walks around the neighborhood. A chorus of birdsong greets me every morning at 4 AM (and every evening around dusk). I no longer have to listen to rain videos on YouTube because I can experience it right outside my window.
You know those invigorating sea breezes that everyone talks about? Well, they really are as sublime as everyone says! I visited a lighthouse perched on a cliff, marveling at the crashing water below me. Another day I climbed down a rocky embankment to walk upon a pebble beach. I watched the sun glint off the water and listened to the gentle sound of waves. Before leaving, I collected a few stones and driftwood as keepsakes. That same afternoon, I went to a sandy beach with a shoreline shaped like a crescent moon. It was low tide, so I was able to gather some shells while the mournful cry of seagulls filled my ears. Despite how cold it was, I absolutely loved it, and I can’t wait to go back!
If you can’t get out in nature – or you’re feeling a distinct lack of wonder in your life – there’s no better remedy than The House Without Windows by Barbara Newhall Follett. Not only was it written by a twelve-year-old girl, but it also focuses entirely on Eepersip’s love for the natural world. The book is full of gorgeous descriptions such as this one:
The third morning she descended into a rich and fertile valley. A small brook was winding down it, and where the weeping willows dipped into the current, it bubbled and sang. This valley was the broadest that Eepersip had yet gone through. But after a long time, she came out of it against a high, precipitous cliff. Up the side of this she climbed, digging her toes into the cracks between the rocks. At last she got to the top; and a long, weary climb it had been. She was now on a grassy hill where bloomed daisies shining like stars and little buttercups of gold. There were butterflies too with brilliant wings, and they hovered and fluttered over the flowers. And lo! there was the ocean, nearer now, with the sun shining on it; and Eepersip could see the surf rolling and foaming. Shrill cries pierced the air—the cries of seagulls swooping inland in wide circles. And as she went on through the waving grass, she could smell the delicious salt air of the sea.
I’ve been posting microfiction on substack notes, but for those of you who don’t have the app, I thought I’d share them through my newsletter as well.
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The Abandoned Garden
Once upon a time, there was a garden overgrown with weeds. It had been neglected for years, yet through the tangle, its wild beauty could still be seen. Pink roses wove themselves through a rusted gate; a magnificent willow tree skimmed across a pond covered in green algae; buttercups, daisies, and forget-me-nots decorated the nearly waist high grass. Here was a testament that life would continue on even after being abandoned… a comforting thought in a time of hopelessness.
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The Fox and the Aurora
Long ago, when the world was filled with magic, an enchantress in the far north cast a troublesome fox into the sky to keep him away from her beloved chickens. The fox scampered through the heavens, leaving a vivid green and purple trail in his wake. The humans below marveled at the magnificent light show, and the enchantress congratulated herself at putting fox up in the sky, where his antics could entertain instead of harm. Fox loves winter nights the best, and whenever he’s in a particularly playful mood, you’ll be able to witness his wanderings with your very own eyes.
(inspired by this article I read about Norwegian folklore)
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The Nightingale’s Gift
In the town of Twelve Springs, to hear a nightingale sing is good luck. It means that inspiration is on its way. Each listener is blessed with an overwhelming urge to create… ideas come swift as wings, and they pick up a paintbrush, pen, or musical instrument only to conjure up the most enchanting of images and melodies. There’s even a saying in Twelve Springs: “the nightingale is upon me now.” The talents of the residents became so abundant that someone opened a shop called ‘The Nightingale’s Gift.’ If you’re passing through town, be sure to stop in. There you’ll find whimsical art prints alongside delightful volumes of poetry, children’s books, adventure, and romance.
The shop is hard to miss with its bright yellow door, window boxes filled with fragrant blossoms, and tinkling wind chimes that beckon you closer. When you step through the door, you’re greeted by a friendly proprietress. You say hello before browsing the shelves. That’s when you notice the lovely music playing in the background. “Who is that singing?” you ask the owner, and she hands you a CD case before pointing you towards the musical section. Before you know it, you’re carrying a small hoard of treasures up to the cash register. It’s an old-fashioned kind that jingles merrily as the sale is completed.
When you get home, you divide the gifts into neat piles… poetry for your sister, postcards for your friends, picture books for your nieces and nephews, music for your father, a novel for your mother. Small joys wrapped in a bow and given with love. Next week, you’ll go back to Twelve Springs and listen for the nightingale. Perhaps she will bless you with creativity as well.
And last but not least, here’s the playlist I made. It’s mostly Indie Folk/Acoustic with some upbeat pop songs thrown in towards the end:
Has May given you any small miracles? I’d love to hear about your moments of wonder 😊 Let me know in the comments!
It sounds like you're getting settled into your new location. I'm glad to hear you've been enjoying all the nature around you.
Even though I live in a city, May has been full of little miracles here too. I love watching the tree outside my window in the spring, seeing its progress day by day as the buds swell and open and the leaves unfurl. Same with watching all the flowers grow and blossom in the neighbours' gardens and the first little shoots of radishes and lettuce and peas pushing their way up in my own garden plot. It's such a magical time of year.
Daisy, I love this post about finding our childlike wonder again. I'm often trying to stay attuned to the nature all around me so that I may hear what the Universe has to say. It is always inspiring and uplifting to me. I'm always left in awe. I recently wrote a piece about how my two budgies were chirping away one day and I heard (intuited 😇) them saying, "the Universe is calling your name" and a little poetic piece was borne out of that. So this connection to nature really resonated with me. I also loved reading your little stories. I think those would be beautiful to expand upon, but definitely would love for your to keep sharing them. ❤️ And since I read on my laptop, I appreciate you adding them in in a way I can also view them. I'm still learning how to Substack. 😄